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2013 Marlborough Ship Cove Report(PDF, 131 EPA Report: Verified Source: Pestlink Operational Report for Possum Control in the Ship Cove 2012/13 09 May 2013 - 29 May 2013 20/11/2013 Department of Conservation Sounds Contents 1. Operation Summary ......................................................................................................................................................... 2 2. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................... 3 2.1 TREATMENT AREA ............................................................................................................................................... 3 2.2 MANAGEMENT HISTORY .............................................................................................................................. 4 3 Outcomes and Targets ................................................................................................................................................... 4 3.1 CONSERVATION OUTCOMES.................................................................................................................... 4 3.2 TARGETS ....................................................................................................................................................................... 4 3.2.1 Result Targets ..................................................................................................................................................... 4 3.2.2 Outcome Targets ............................................................................................................................................. 4 4 Consultation, Consents & Notifications ............................................................................................................. 5 4.1 CONSULTATION .................................................................................................................................................... 5 4.2 CONSENTS .................................................................................................................................................................. 5 4.3 NOTIFICATION ....................................................................................................................................................... 6 5 Methods ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 5.1 TARGET SPECIES .................................................................................................................................................... 6 5.2 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ....................................................................................................................... 8 5.2.1 Effects on Non-Target Species ................................................................................................................ 8 5.2.2 Effects on Soil and Water Quality ........................................................................................................ 9 5.2.3 Effects on Ecosystems .................................................................................................................................. 9 5.2.4 Effects on Human Health ........................................................................................................................... 9 6 Monitoring Results and Outcomes ..................................................................................................................... 10 6.1 RESULT MONITORING - TARGET SPECIES ................................................................................. 10 6.2 RESULT MONITORING - ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ..................................................... 10 6.3 OUTCOME MONITORING ........................................................................................................................... 11 1. Operation Summary Operation Name Possum Control in Ship Cove 2012/13 Operation Date 09 May 2013 - 29 May 2013 Area Office Sounds Conservancy: Nelson Marlborough Pestlink Reference 1314SND01 Treatment Area Size (ha) Ship Cove 2012/13 1530.00 Conservation Unit Name(s) GA Id(s) Resolution Bay Scenic Reserve 2801786 Sounds Foreshore Reserve 2801936 Ship Cove Historic Reserve 2801784 Treatment Block Details Treatment Blocks Size (ha) Ship Cove 1500.00 Contractor Name N/A Treatment Dates Start Completion Ship Cove 09 May 2013 29 May 2013 Target Pest Details Treatment Target Pests Control Method Name Blocks Ship Cove Possum Pesticide Aerial Pesticide - Aerial in Ship Cove-(1) Ship Cove Possum Pesticide Hand Pesticide - Hand Laying in Laying Ship Cove-(1) Conservation Outcome(s) To protect the health and viability of the coastal forest ecosystems within the Ship Cove and environs. Result Target(s) Treatment Area/Block What we got • To reduce the RTC for Ship Cove 2012/13 0% RTC possums within this area to 5% or less Outcome Targets What we got • No outcome monitoring is planned at the time of report preparation Nov. 13. 1314snd01 2 2. Introduction 2.1 TREATMENT AREA Non-target species Common Name Scientific Name Bellbird Anthornis melanura melanura Tui Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae novaeseelandiae Yellow-breasted Tit Petroica macrocephala macrocephala New Zealand Kingfisher Halcyon sancta Australasian Harrier Circus approximans Brown Creeper Mohoua novaeseelandiae Long-tailed Cuckoo Eudynamys taitensis Grey Warbler Gerygone igata South Island Fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa fuliginosa Morepork Ninox novaeseelandiae novaeseelandiae Target benefit species Common Name Scientific Name tawa Beilschmiedia tawa kohekohe Dysoxylum spectabile Threatened species Common Name Scientific Name Western Weka Gallirallus australis australis Large land snail Powelliphanta hochstetteri bicolor New Zealand pigeon, Kereru Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae Bush falcon Falco novaeseelandiae "bush" Yellow-crowned Parakeet Cyanoramphus auriceps South Island Kaka Nestor meridionalis meridionalis Geographical location The Ship Cove 2012/13 is situated 27 km NE of Picton. TREATMENT BLOCK DETAILS: Treatment block Ship Cove Vegetation type The land rises steeply in most places from sea level to the skyline with the highest point being Mt Furneaux (823m). This area contains some of the best coastal broadleaved forest in the Marlborough Sounds. There are extensive areas of kohekohe and tawa dominated forest with large stag head rimu and kahikatea emergent through the canopy. Below 450m hard beech dominates dry ridges and faces while red beech and silver beech dominate above 450m and 650m respectively. Kamahi is common in these higher altitude forests. 1314snd01 3 Bioclimatic zone coastal semi-coastal sub-montane Climate characteristics: Rainfall 0 mm Temperature: Average Summer - Average Winter - Snow level 650 m Altitude 0-823 m Community and Iwi The Queen Charlotte Track passes through the area treated. This interests track is popular with walkers and mountain bikers and is particularly busy over the summer months. Recreational hunting of pigs and deer is common in the area. Historic sites There are several archaeological/historic sites recorded in this area. The area is also of very special significance to both European and Maori as it was used by Capt. James Cook on several of his NZ visits. 2.2 MANAGEMENT HISTORY Management history was not chosen to be shown in this operational report. This history is, however, available via Pestlink 3 Outcomes and Targets 3.1 CONSERVATION OUTCOMES To protect the health and viability of the coastal forest ecosystems within the Ship Cove and environs. 3.2 TARGETS 3.2.1 Result Targets The result targets for the treatment area were: • To reduce the RTC for possums within this area to 5% or less 3.2.2 Outcome Targets The outcome targets for the treatment area were: • No outcome monitoring is planned at the time of report preparation Nov. 13. 1314snd01 4 4 Consultation, Consents & Notifications 4.1 CONSULTATION Apr-Oct 2012 The adjoining landowners to the treatment area (where possible - one parcel of land had multiple Maori owners, we were unable to gain contact details for this land) were contacted seeking their comments. Letters advising of the operation and inviting feedback were sent to iwi groups. Public Health Service was contacted. Queen Charlotte Track Liaison Committee. Marlborough District Council through Resource Consenting process. Consultation outcomes Letter received from an iwi group. They are concerned about the destruction of native biodiversity by introduced species in and around the DOC estate. Aware that 1080 has been in use for near 40 years and at this time is the most affordable solution we have and that DOC are restricted by dwindling budgets and changing Government priorities. Opposed to the aerial distribution of 1080 at the Meretoto/Ship Cove area and all other areas within the rohe. Only support the targeted placement/distribution of 1080. Prefer an intensive hunting and targeted poison distribution regime. There was some concern about our proposal received by another iwi group. Lessons learned There is value in informing all the adjoining landowners individually. Wide and thorough consultation during the planning stage is always required. 4.2 CONSENTS Consent Consent date File Reference Permission ID Medical Officer of Health 06/05/2013 NHT 02-16-04 V3 13/07/ETM/NELPH Department of Conservation 25/03/2013 NHT 02-16-04 V3 DOCDM-114834 Resource consent
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